§ Lord Stoddart of Swindonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What costs will be incurred by government, manufacturers of electrical appliances, the electricity supply industry and electricity consumers as a result 36WA of the harmonisation in 1995 of the British three-phase, 400 volt supply system with the continental 380 volt system; and how they intend to compensate electricity consumers for the downrating and loss of effectiveness of their existing electrical equipment that will result.
§ The Minister of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Strathclyde)All EC countries are changing their low-voltage supply systems to a nominal voltage of 230/400 volts to provide voltage harmonisation throughout the EC. The UK decided to do so after extensive consultation.
There are unlikely to be any net cost advantages to manufacturers in moving to the agreed intermediate step of 230 volts ± 10 per cent. by the year 2003, and no additional costs to the electricity supply industry or to Government, other than for disseminating information. Approximately 40 per cent. of manufacturers expect cost reductions of up to 5 per cent. in their products if the Community as a whole was eventually to agree to a reduced tolerance range of ± 6 per cent. for the final stage of voltage harmonisation. The electricity supply industry however would incur some costs in making the necessary changes to some of their equipment to accommodate the reduced voltage range. At 1992 prices, the cost to the electricity supply industry, assuming a 30 year timescale, is estimated to be £680 million, with an annual increase in distribution losses of £20 million.
The performance of a few electrical appliances will be reduced in making the change to 230/240 volts, but the effect will be minimal and will be offset by the wider benefits to consumers of standardisation.